Identification and diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia IDTN version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Validating a questionnaire for the Identification of possible Trigeminal Neuralgia in dental practise.
IRAS ID
357989
Contact name
Joanna Zakrzewska
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2025/11/70, UCL data protection registration
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is an excruciating, intermittent pain, usually affecting one side of the face. The pain can be triggered by talking, eating, and brushing teeth. Living with such severe pain and side effects of drugs can lead to depression, loss of employment and breakdown of relationships.
The pain is often confused with tooth pain, and many people seek help from the dentist. Diagnosing TN is challenging for dentists because it can be difficult to distinguish from other types of facial pain. People can have unnecessary dental treatment and it can sometimes take years to get an accurate diagnosis and start the right treatment.
The aim is to produce a new tool to help dentists to identify and diagnose TN more effectively and be able to refer patients for the help they need.
An online meeting of people with TN, dentists and health professional experts in TN was held and screening tool ( questionnaire) has been developed which consists of 15 questions. This tool needs to be validated by asking patients with dental pain and possible TN to complete it and determine if it does distinguish the two conditions by comparting the diagnosis an exert makes. Together it will be decided which questions are important to include in a tool that can be used by a dentist to help identify and diagnose possible TN and allow earlier access to treatment.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/SC/0059
Date of REC Opinion
9 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion